By Sunny Sumter   I’ve watched the Olympics my whole life, on living room floors with my grandparents, squeezed onto sofas with elders telling stories between routines, and later holding my babies while the world gathered around one stage. To me, it has often felt a little like jazz — improvised dreams on a global bandstand.   Recently, one of my closest friends blessed our home with a visit, arriving with curated treats from DC’s Union Market, and we settled in to watch the

Emmet Cohen and Janelle Gill to Lead Year-Long Performances, Education, and Community Engagement Across Washington, D.C. WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The DC Jazz Festival ® (DCJF) proudly announces internationally acclaimed pianist and bandleade r Emmet Cohen,   and distinctive DMV pianist, composer, and educator Janelle Gill as the Festival’s 2026 Artists-in-Residence.   The dual residency brings together two generations of jazz innovators for a year of performances, master classes,

Dear Friends,   What a year. DC JazzFest 2025 reminded us that jazz is more than music—it is expression, community, and a shared language that connects us. From the first notes downtown to the final performances along The Wharf, our city came alive with creativity and possibility. We didn’t just present a festival—we helped energize a movement.   Our goal this year was simple but bold: open doors wider . We brought world-class jazz back to downtown, transformed Anthem Row int

By Jason Toney On trumpeter and composer Nicholas Payton ’s latest album, TRIUNE , Esperanza Spalding sings: “Jazz is a four-letter word. It’s not either or. It’s this and that and this and that and this and that.” Payton, a native of New Orleans and a GRAMMY Award winner, has dedicated his career to challenging rigid definitions of jazz, often referring to his work as "Black American Music." Spalding, a four-time GRAMMY winner and MacArthur Fellow, is celebrated for her ex

Jazz legends, hometown heroes, and next-gen stars bring the festival to more than a dozen neighborhoods citywide WASHINGTON, DC (July 29,...

By Jason Toney “I feel like, as an artist, the whole point of the platform, other than making music, is to inform. However we do that,...

WASHINGTON, DC – July 15, 2025 –  The  DC Jazz Festival ®  (DCJF) announces its Opening Night celebration of the 21st annual  DC JazzFest...

Kicking off a weekend of must-see performances along the Potomac at The District Wharf   The DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) is thrilled to...

DC Jazz Festival Adds Iconic Bass Virtuoso  Marcus Miller to 2025 DC JazzFest Lineup! Great Masters and Next Gen Artists Perform on...

DCJF’s incomparable international band competition celebrates its 10th year of recognizing and supporting top emerging jazz ensembles...

By Jason Toney In Late March of this year, the Mellon Foundation hosted a virtual symposium called American Jazz, American Culture....

DC Jazz Festival  (DCJF) today announces its 2025  DC JazzFest hotel partners . One of the largest annual tourist events in the District,...

WASHINGTON, DC – March 25, 2025 – DC Jazz Festival  (DCJF) today announces 2025 DC JazzFest programming for its indoor festival home at...

Eddie Palmieri, Ron Carter, Branford Marsalis, Lalah Hathaway, John Scofield, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Sun Ra Arkestra, The Baylor...

Five Days of World-Class Jazz and Dynamic Performances Set for August 27-31, 2025 WASHINGTON, DC – January 28, 2025 –  The DC Jazz...

By Corcoran Holt, DCJF Artist-In-Residence The concept of “The Collective” has always resonated deeply with me. There’s something...

By: Sunny Sumter The 20th Anniversary of the DC JazzFest is officially in the books! As we swap the vibrant reds of festival season for...

If the next Duke Ellington or Ella Fitzgerald emerges in the coming years, they may very well come from the vibrant year-round programs...

By His Daughter Michal Fishman My beloved, amazing Abba, (“father” in Hebrew) Charles “Charlie” Fishman passed away unexpectedly on...

Celebrating DC Jazz Festival’s 20th Anniversary  WASHINGTON, DC – August 28, 2024 – The DC Jazz Festival  (DCJF)   today announced it...